The Shattered Mountain (Girl of Fire and Thorns Novella, #2)

by Rae Carson

I have only read the first prequel; The Shadow Cats which introduced Alodia. So I have no idea who Mara is in relation to the rest of the series.

This was bloody intense. There was action, love, death and so many feelings. I loved Mara. She's not my usual type of heroine with her reaction to her abuse. Generally my normal type of heroine would fight back. But Mara has so much control. She's beaten down but she doesn't break. My absolute favourite part was this scene; Then they brace Mara—one under each arm—and lift her from the ground. Tiny Marlín plants herself in their path. She reaches up and pats Mara’s hip. Pat, pat. Patpatpat. Her face is a mask of solemnity. She says, “I need you to be a brave girl for me, Mara.” Mara doesn’t know how to respond. Marlín steps aside, and Reynaldo and Adán hold Mara up. She hangs limp between them. They’re about to step forward, but Mara says, “Wait.” They wait. Mara gathers her feet beneath her. She leans over and gives Reynaldo a kiss on the cheek, then does the same to Adán. “Thank you,” she says, straightening. “But I can walk on my own.”

Carson, Rae. The Girl of Fire and Thorns Complete Collection . Greenwillow Books. Kindle Edition.

It was heartbreaking and funny and inspiring and so many feels. You've I was expecting this brief glimpse into a side character and I got a Shakespearean tragedy. I hated her father. He was so well written though. He was portrayed in so many shades of grey. I loved all the characters in this. I hope I get to see them again. 4.5 stars.